Rob Ford ousted: A glossary of terms from the day Toronto's mayor lost his job

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford loses his job: A glossary of terms

On a crazy day in Toronto politics, a few phrases stood out. A glossary to help understand the day the Mayor lost his job.

Vacant What Mayor Rob Ford’s seat will be in 14 days, barring any interim legal relief. Some Toronto residents cheered the prospect of Ford’s seat becoming vacant, while the mayor’s supporters responded with anger and indignance.

Tooth (and/or nail) The implements Mr. Ford vowed to use to retain his office, with his first step being an appeal of Justice Charles Hackland’s ruling.

Stay What Mr. Ford needs if he is to remain in office longer than the court-ordered 14 days. A stay of the removal order would allow Mr. Ford to continue in his role as mayor until a judge rules on his appeal.

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Excuse me The words Councillor Doug Ford thundered after barrelling through a throng of journalists outside his brother’s office, sending reporters and cameramen crashing into each other. Said the visibly agitated councillor: “When I say excuse me, excuse me!”

Left-wing politics The mayor’s explanation for why he was taken to court over a conflict-of-interest ruling in the first place. “The left wing wants me out of here and they’ll do anything in their power to [achieve that],” Mr. Ford told reporters.

Byelection A possible outcome if Mr. Ford is not granted a stay. Within a two-month window, council could either appoint a replacement mayor or hold a byelection, but many councillors maintained a byelection was the only truly democratic option.

Willful blindness How the judge characterized Mr. Ford’s apparent ignorance of conflict-of-interest rules. In another colourful excerpt from his ruling, Judge Hackland lamented Mr. Ford’s “stubborn sense of entitlement” and his “dismissive and confrontational attitude” toward council’s code of conduct.

Fighter Not just a Christina Aguilera song anymore. In saying he would do what it takes to stay in office, Mr. Ford referred to himself as “a fighter,” noting he would continue “to fight for the taxpayers” as long as possible.

Canx A brief Twitter phenomenon that began after one journalist tweeted: “@TOMayorFord guilty of breaching conflict of interest law, canx remain mayor of Toronto, judge rules.” The placeholder Tweet, sent prematurely, prompted a plethora of “canx” jokes from City Hall watchers.

Stability What most councillors believe the city needs in light of Monday’s tumultuous news. While they hemmed and hawed about their own mayoral ambitions, council members were united in their call to move forward with city business.